Mental health helpline support

Posted on behalf of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board:

In light of Brighter Futures deciding to close the mental health helpline from 21 June 2024, please note the available helplines listed below, that offer alternative mental health support.

National organisations: 

• SANELine: This is a national out of hours mental health helpline. It offers specialist emotional support, guidance, and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. They are open every day from 4pm – 10pm on 0300 304 7000. They can also be contacted via email: [email protected] however, there is normally a 72-hour turnaround time for replies.
• Samaritans: Available 24 hours a day 365 days a year by calling 116 123 (free from any phone)
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: Available on 0800 689 5652 (6pm – midnight every day)
• CALM: Available on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm – midnight every day). They also have a webchat service.
• SHOUT: Available via text, if you message SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service if you are in a crisis and need immediate help.
• Papyrus HOPELINE UK: Available to under 35 year olds, struggling with suicidal feelings or concerns about a young person who might be struggling, on 0800 068 4141 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or text 07786 209 697.  
• Nightline: Students can look on the Nightline website to see if their university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.
• Switchboard: Available to people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day) or via their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.  
• Cruse: the UK’s leading bereavement charity; provides a helpline run by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by grief. Call 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am-3pm). 
• Childline: a free, private, and confidential service where young people can talk about anything. Calls are free and confidential. Calls are not recorded, and their number won’t show up on any phone bills. Call 0800 1111 (24 hours a day, every day).